Author Topic: Trim Ring - Converting Brushed to Polished (Read 5515 times)

cwestra · « **on:** January 09, 2009 - 08:53:42 AM »

I have a set of what appear to be brushed trim rings for my '70. Is there a way to tell if they are, in fact, brushed and not just scratched from repeated cleaning over the years? The outside flange appears to be polished but the main surface looks brushed. And if they are brushed, is it possible to sand and polish them to achieve the factory polished finish of the '70?

Bullitt- · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2009 - 09:07:42 AM »

14" trims were brushed for sure, I've had 70 ralley & 73 "magnums" ... I think 15" trims were polished

Chryco Psycho · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2009 - 11:00:24 AM »

those look like the factory brushed ring , never tried to polish them up but I see no reason why they couldn`t be polished
as above all 14 " were brushed , I have seen 15 " both ways

VTMopar · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2009 - 10:39:11 PM »

I"m always looking for nice brushed 14 inch trim rings (I have the Road Wheels on my '74) -- Let me know if you're interested.... that is -- if you decide not to try and make them "unbrushed." (not sure how that would work - but might be quite an experiment!

VT Mopar

cwestra · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2009 - 08:33:48 AM »

The rings are actually 15". I thought about just selling them and looking for a decent set of polished 15's. That may end being the way to go anyway, considering the time that would be invested in sanding and polishing. I have a feeling it would turn out to be a big project and once I start, I am committed, in a way. Polishing stainless trim is tricky enough, working out all the fine scratches. Not sure how larger surfaces like the trim rings would even turn out. Hate to look back and wish I would have just left them brushed. But for 1970 I believe they were to be poslished. At least the AAR's were.

MEK-Dangerfield · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2009 - 02:53:34 PM »

Quote from: cwestra on January 10, 2009 - 08:33:48 AM

The rings are actually 15". I thought about just selling them and looking for a decent set of polished 15's. That may end being the way to go anyway, considering the time that would be invested in sanding and polishing. I have a feeling it would turn out to be a big project and once I start, I am committed, in a way. Polishing stainless trim is tricky enough, working out all the fine scratches. Not sure how larger surfaces like the trim rings would even turn out. Hate to look back and wish I would have just left them brushed. But for 1970 I believe they were to be poslished. At least the AAR's were.

You have it right. 15" trim rings were polished in 1970 and brushed 71-74.

VTMopar · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2009 - 05:31:35 PM »

Hmmmm So those are 15 inch brushed? I thought all Road Wheels that used the brushed style were 14 inch?

VT Mopoar

bb71challenger · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2009 - 09:13:36 PM »

I like polished too. I know they are not correct for 71 but I want polished rings on my rallyes.

walkAbout · « **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2015 - 04:15:34 PM »

Hi,

old thread, but the right topic...

Unfortunately the pic from the first post is to old and gives a 404, but I think I also have brushed rings on my 70 and like to polish them, as I saw polished on a Challenger long time ago (attached).
Years ago I polished my aluminum bicycle with a power drill and a "wool polishing ball" and I think I can do this on the rims too.

I have 2 different rings front and rear. I guess at least one pair is aftermarket, also the shape differs a little. The fronts have 4 clips that snap on the rim of the wheel. I did not find any number or Chrysler sign on the inside. The rears have metal clamps all around and clamp not directly on the rim, but a little deeper on the outside of the wheel. Did not search for part numbers on the rears yet.

They all appear to be made of stainless steel. So I think they can be polished. I've read something about chromed, but I guess they where not chromed.

Any ideas, or did someone polish brushed successfully already?

CU

walkAbout

plumcrazzy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 05, 2015 - 08:35:52 PM »

I have polished a ton of stainless parts over the years (mostly when I was into the "Street Rod" scene). Typically, chrome is applied over steel (copper, nickel then chrome) so if you think the trim rings might be chrome then a quick check with a magnet will tell the story (stainless is non-magnetic). Stainless is tougher to polish than most metals because it is a little harder because of the chrome in the alloy. A brushed finish is just a series of fine uniform scratches applied to the metal. It's actually easier to do a brushed finish because a polished finish requires all flaws, blemishes to be removed and the surface must be very uniform (no waves, low spots, etc.). Stainless can be polished to a mirror like finish if you use proper technique, products and tools. First, all the "brushed" finish has to be removed by hand or some form of power tooling--KEEP MOVING--to avoid irregular surface defects. I would start with 400 grit wet paper using lots of water and some dish soap. Graduate up the grit scale as far as you want--600--800--1200--1500--2000. The farther up the scale you go the better your final polishing job will look. Once you have finished with your sanding then clean the parts well with soap and water and begin the buffing process. Start with emery compound and a spiral sewn cotton wheel and remember to keep moving to avoid low spots. When you are satisfied with the finish clean again with soap and water then use a spiral sewn wheel with stainless compound to bring out the deep shine you are looking for. Wash again and use white rouge on a loose cotton wheel for the final POW shine. It would be really nice if you had access to a lathe that had the capacity to chuck the trim rings because that would make this job a lot easier. A good air die grinder would be handy as well. Hope this helps and good luck.

rUNCHARGER · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2015 - 11:23:25 PM »

My understanding is AAR's and T/A's came with brushed 15X7 trim rings. Other 70's had polished 15X7 rings.

Sheldon

walkAbout · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2015 - 04:55:32 PM »

Quote from: rUNCHARGER on September 06, 2015 - 11:23:25 PM

My understanding is AAR's and T/A's came with brushed 15X7 trim rings. Other 70's had polished 15X7 rings.

I've found this while browsing yesterday: http://www.aarta.com/wheels/trim_rings.html

CU

walkAbout

walkAbout · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2015 - 05:04:13 PM »

Thanks plumcrazzy for the detailed explanation. And for the update that stainless is non-magnetic. I will try tomorrow. Then let's see. But I want it polished, as it is correct for 70 and I like it more. The holes in the wheel are mirrored in the ring and look like full round holes.

CU

walkAbout

walkAbout · « **Reply #13 on:** September 09, 2015 - 03:27:11 PM »

OK, tried with a magnet and Jackpot, 2 different ones...

The rears are stainless aftermarkets which I just found on starwheel.com -> #71-3002AMT, 15" Stainless Steel (3") for Aftermarket 15 x 7, Mopar

The fronts are magnetic, so not really stainless, but I cannot identify them till now. If I browse for original pics, they have clamps all over the ring inside, mine have only 4 single clamps direct on the outside edge that mount different then the rears or oris. Will make a photo, maybe you can identify them. The metal seems to be a little softer then the stainless ones. The shape is almost identical.

Let the fun begin over the winter...

CU

walkAbout

walkAbout · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2015 - 04:04:28 PM »

Quote from: walkAbout on September 09, 2015 - 03:27:11 PM

Will make a photo, maybe you can identify them.

Here a pic in mounted position. The 2 clamps on the rim and between those 2 a clamp that goes inside (invisible). This 4 times around. Have to dismount but need tools for it. Pic on meeting yesterday.

CU

walkAbout